Blues boss Kieran McKenna believes it was right to consider the interest from other clubs with management a short career but says he’s “so, so happy” to have signed a new deal at Portman Road which runs to the summer of 2028.

Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United are all understood to have spoken to the 38-year-old’s representatives over the last fortnight with the Seagulls at one stage having been confident that McKenna was set to take over at the Amex Stadium, while Chelsea eventually concentrated their focus on Leicester boss Enzo Maresca and the Red Devils’ management situation remains unclear.

Despite the interest, the Blues were determined to keep the man who has led them to successive promotions with TWTD revealing last Friday that Ed Schwartz, the CEO of ORG, the US investment firm which manages funds on behalf of the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), the club’s majority owner, had flown over from the States to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna.

“Firstly, I’m delighted with the news today and I’m really looking forward to the future ahead and continuing the journey that we’ve been on,” McKenna said when asked about the attention by former skipper Matt Holland in a TownTV interview.

“I’m aware of it, I think it’s part and parcel of success as a football club that staff members and players will have interest.

“Of course, there’s been interest from other clubs and it’s a short career as a manager and it’s right to consider these things, but I’m so, so happy with the decision I’ve made, I’m so, so happy to commit my future to this club and I’m really looking forward to next season, I can’t wait for it to get started.”

Asked why he eventually opted to stay, he added: “So many reasons, I have to say. It’s been an incredible journey that we’ve been on, it’s the club that I’ve taken my first steps in management with. Mark had the foresight to give me that opportunity and we’d like to think it’s worked out pretty well.

“It’s a fantastic football club, I’m so proud to manage this club every day. Again, as a manager, you have to do what’s right for yourself and your family as well and I’ve made it clear that I am really ambitious and I want to manage at the very, very highest levels of the game at some point in my career.

“But the opportunity to lead this club back into the Premier League after everything we’ve been through in the last couple of years, the responsibility to lead that group, to take the step into the Premier League for players, staff, supporters, it’s going to be the first time for a generation of supporters to see this club in the Premier League.

“To have enjoyed the last two years so much, now to have the opportunity to take the team back to the Premier League, for me it was something that I just couldn’t miss out on. It’s something that I’m so proud of and I can’t wait for the steps that are ahead of us now.

“I have to say, on top of that, the club has been fantastic. My relationship with Mark has been as strong as ever and we’ve communicated throughout.

“I think it was known by the supporters that Ed Schwartz has flown over from America during the week for conversations that were incredibly appreciated in terms of him making that gesture and we had a really good conversation.

“I think the ambition of the club is really high, the support there is fantastic, I feel like I’ve got such good support from everyone, from the ownership to the staff, to the board, to the playing group and that’s a pretty unique thing as a manager.

“I’m so grateful for that support and it makes me so excited for what we have to come ahead.”

Photo: Action Images

BuckieBlue added 21:42 - May 30 I respect his openness in saying he was considering other offers and I say there's nothing wrong with ambition, as he admits to, including for the sake of his family. Reading between the lines, he probably sees managing at the 'very highest levels of the game at some point in his career' as being elsewhere eventually, but maybe this saga has reminded us that he is only an (admittedly brilliant) employee of the club, not a perfect messiah figure and hence not indispensable. All-in-all though, someone who we can be thankful we have for the foreseeable future.

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Robert_Garrett added 22:26 - May 30 Fifth highest paid manager in the Premier league is not a bad result for two and a half years of hard work. It is quite right that Kieran should see the project to fruition and maybe European football again? Remember we are unbeaten at home in Europe!
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KiwiBlue2 added 01:42 - May 31 Delighted that he is staying. His relationship with MA and the owner's representatives must have been a strong factor in his decision. Here he has been backed in the transfer market and left to do his job without the interference that we so often hear of at other clubs where the owners or some board members always seem to think that they know better than the manager. If we can establish ourselves in the Prem in the upcoming season there should be no reason that we cannot be pushing towards , or into, the top six in the following season. The future is the brightest that it has been for decades.....coyb

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KiwiBlue2 added 01:45 - May 31 Also meant to add that I was pleased to see the size of his salary increase after what he has achieved and could well achieve in the next few seasons.
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johnwarksshorts added 07:02 - May 31 Normal service resumed.
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barrystedmunds added 07:45 - May 31 I think it speaks volumes of the kind of person he is. This confirms to me of what others who know and work with him have said, he is a guy whose moral compass appears to be well adjusted. I look back and read some of the comments that were levelled at him over the last few weeks and feel a little ashamed at what some have said and suggested. I have no doubt he will move on, probably to Old Trafford given his affiliation with them, but I really hope that when that day comes, it’s off the back of a stellar career with us. Time will tell.

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Dissboyitfc added 08:03 - May 31 Staying on the quote , it's a short career! I thought that was a strange thing to say and I am glad others have picked up on it also. Any career is short if it goes wrong, many managers are still managing beyond retirement age and by then the accumulated wealth means you are doing it because you still enjoy it! So glad he stays for now and most will be happy after watching that interview, I am and we move on, now to look forward ! Exciting stuff to come

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BlueySwede added 08:55 - May 31 We are certainly very happy that you are staying Kieran, improves our chances of survival big time. Big key in the jigsaw and the work that have been done on and off the pitch the last couple of years. Best manager since Burley. The only thing I don´t really get is the " it’s a short career as a manager"-line..well, it could be if things go very, very wrong, but look at Hodgson, etc. If you do well, which I am certain that Kieran will do, it could be a very long career.

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Bazza8564 added 09:43 - May 31 I watched this interview with MH and though Kieran looked a little sheepish to be honest, like he realises he has pushed the club to it's limits. Ive head something similar this morning so I suspect he realises the impact that has had. Having said that, the money is of little consequence when our PL revenue share for next season alone starts at 140m, he was supposedly on 1.2m last season, no doubt that would have gone to 2-3m in the PL as a matter of routine within the old contract so the increment isnt huge. I think our fans will get the reasons why he spoke to other clubs, but I also think it will erode the trust a little as a result. Time to land some fantastic players now and put all of this firmly on the rear view mirror

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gosblue added 12:17 - May 31 If your Watford’s manager then your Watford career is measured in months. There are many other clubs that would fit into that bracket. Town is historically not one of those clubs unless you are absolutely useless and even then some have outstayed their welcome. I suspect KMcK will be here for a long time.
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bobble added 12:56 - May 31 Now that all the bed wetters fans have got their bowel /bladder movements in control can we please just hear about real news not trash news ?
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bobble added 12:58 - May 31 Cider bubbling in a glass is such fun...
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bobble added 12:59 - May 31 Cider bubbling in a glass is such fun...
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bobble added 13:02 - May 31 Power pic excluding Future
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:22 - May 31 I feel more relief than joy. As others have said, it is a reminder that KMcK won't be here forever and perhaps not long at all. The irony for any manager in this situation is that with every pay rise comes a rise in expectations. Will he survive a relegation now if the worst happens? Also, how much will his salary detract from the transfer kitty - a genuine question that?

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Karlosfandangal added 14:43 - May 31 Bazza8564 Agree………..to me he did not look happy on the interview……but he never really shows too much emotion or is not over confident with interviews. Get the feeling he realise all these club did not want him so I better stay with Town vibe. He might also read social media and seen some of the negative comments. He will be forgiven if we stay up but also on his way with the team behind him

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FreddySteady added 18:56 - May 31 How do we know that his salary is the 5th or 6th highest in the premier league? Can’t imagine that fact would be publicised.
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Sharkey added 03:13 - Jun 2 I wish someone had picked him up on his 'it's a short career' comment. Does he see himself as a Mike Walker rather than a Bobby Robson?
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